Coin-assorting savings-bank.



ALL. ANDREWS; COIN ASSOBTING SA VINGS BANK.

H6 5 In I ventor ALBERT LANDREWS Attorney Witnesscs THE NORRIS PETE as ca wAsumaran, u. c.

. vertical, trans 'erse section of same.

'NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT L. ANDREWS, or FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

corn-.Asson'rnve SAVINGS-BANK.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT L. ANDREWS, citizen of the United States, residing at Franklin, in the county of Venango and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin- Assorting Savings-Banks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The object, construction and 0 eration of my invention are herein fully set orth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improred coin-assorting device and savings bank. Fig. 2 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section of same. Fig. 3 is a central, Fig. 4 is a detail. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the removable bottom of the case or coin receptacle. Fig. 6 is an end view of the bottom. Fig. 7 is a perspectize view ofthecombined partition-plates and coin-assorting device, removed from the rece tacle. Fig. 8 shows the keyby means 0 which my bank is opened. Fig. 9 is a modified form of partition plates and assorting device.

The same reference letters indicate identical parts in the several. views.

The object of my device is to provide a home savings-bank wherein the coins will be automatically assorted relative to denomination, and all coins of the same denomination kept in a compartment separate from those of other denominations, so that when the contents of the bank is removed the work of counting same will be greatly facilitated.

The construction of my device is substantially as follows :I construct a receptacle 1, )referably of an oblong, rectangular shape, having a hole 2 through the top thereof for the reception of coins, which hole is of a diameter equal to, or slightly larger than the diameter of the largest coin to be received therethrough, and if said hole is any other shape, its greatest dimension will be that specified. Beneath the opening 2 is placed a chute 3, extending longitudinally of the receptacle and having one end thereof open, there being a distance between said open end and the approximate end-wall of case 1 equal to or somewhat greater than the diameter of the largest coin to be received,which, in nearly all cases would be a silver dollar. Beneath Specification of Letters Patent. Application filedroctober 16, 1907.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

Serial No, 397,612.

the open end of chute 3 place a sub-chute 4 which extends from the approximate endwall of case or receptacle 1 beneath and somewhat past the open end of chute 3; coins enter the bank by way of these chutes.

For the purpose of preventing the accidental return, or intentional extraction of coins through the chutes, I place inv close proximity to the open end of chute 3 a gate which is constructed substantially as follows: One or more pieces of thin, sheet metal, of rectangular form 5 are .each hinged at the open end of chute 3, which hinge is atone end of said pieces 5 the opposite or free end of each of said pieces is inclined toward the open end of sub-chute 4 and rests upon the edge thereof, thus preventing the return of coins when the case is in the position shown,which is the upright position. I also locate a secondary gate directly beneath the open end of the sub-chute, which gate consists of one or more members 7 hinged or swingingly mounted directly beneath the edge of the open end of said sub-chute. The longer,-free end of said members 7 is disposed away from said opening and the ghorterend thereof bears against the under side of the bottom of the sub-chute, so that the normal position of said gate is that shown in full lines. When the bank is inverted gate 7 assumes the position shown in dotted lines and effectually prevents the return of coins past the same through the chute. XVithin case 1 beneath said chutes, I place a series of substantially horizontal plates 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, which divide the case horizontally into a series of vertically related compartments. Through the upper plate 8 I form one or more holes the dimensions of which are such as to allow all coins to pass through the same that are smaller than a silver dollar through plate 9 I form one or more holes having such dimensions as to allow all coins to pass through the same that are smaller than a silver half-dollar, through plate 10 I form one or more holes the dimensions of which are such that all coins smaller than a silver quarter-dollar will pass through the same; through plate 11 I form one or more holes of such dimensions that all coins smaller than a nickel will pass through the same, and through plate 12 I form holes of such dimensions that all coins smaller than a one-cent piece will pass through the same. The several plates, thus constructed constitute the assortingdevice and it will be readily understood that coins will be retained in the respective compartments of which they form the floor as follows, viz. 1 dollars in compartment 100, fifty-cent pieces in compartment 50, twenty-five-cent pieces in compartment 25, five-cent pieces in compartment 5, onecent pieces in compartment 1, and dimes and coins of smaller sizes in compartment 10; X is a compartment for the reception of currency which is introduced therein through the aperture X.

The assorting and dividing device,- shown in perspective in Fig. 7 is removably contained within the case 1, and is here shown as a unitary structure made of sheet metal in a corrugated form, and the leaves of the several corrugations compose the partitions and assorting plates. I do not wish, however, to be understood as limiting myself to this particular form of construction, as many other forms could be employed that would perform the function specified, as the essential feature of said plates consists in the graduated holes whereby the assorting function is effected, and the assorted coins kept separate, and I seek hereby to secure any form of construction whereby the above objects could be obtained, regardless of the particular form of construction, or the form of the case in which it is contained, whether it be round, square, oval, or any other shape.

The bottom of case 1 is made removable and is secured in position in any suitable manner, but the construction here shown is substantially as follows :Approximate to the lower edge of each side wall is formed a bead 13, w ith its corresponding inner groove 13 upon the inside of the receptacle; one edge 14 of the bottom is flanged upward at an angle of about 45 degrees, and its outer corner seats in one of the grooves 13. Upon the opposite side of said bottom is placed a lock 15, which is slidably mounted or secured in position by means of the pins or rivets 16, which occupy the slots 17.; at the back'of, and bearing against the edge of said lock, is a s ring 18, which keeps said lock in the norma outward position shown. At or about the center of the lock is formed an oblong opening 19, one side of which is formed into a rack 20 to engage a pinion upon the end of the key ,Fig. 8. The outer edge of lock 15 is formed to enter and occupy the groove 13 upon its respective side of the case 1; when the bottom is to be removed, the key is inserted as shown in Fig. 2, so, that it engages the rack in the lock, the key is then turned to disengage the look from the groove 13 at which juncture, a push upon the key will remove the bottom from the receptacle.

The corrugation 13 upon the bottom of the receptacle 1, not only serves as a convenient and efficient means for the reception and retention of the bottom, but it also materially stiffens and strengthens the rece tacle or case. The series of combined p ates and coin-assorters aforesaid, are adapted to be easily withdrawn from the receptacle when the bottom is removed.

In removing the contents of the bank, the bottom is first removed, the case or recepta cle is then lifted so that the contents of the lower compartment only is exposed for removal, and when this compartment is emptied the case is further raised, so that the contents of the next higher compartment may be removed and so on, until each compartment is emptied. In this operation if the case is placed upon the counter or table, and its position changed each time the case is raised for the purpose of emptying a co1n partment, the coins of various denominations will be deposited in separate laces, ready to be counted, thus greatly faci itating the ascertainment of the value of the contents of the receptacle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a coin-assorting savings bank, a case or receptacle having a coin receiving aperture through the top thereof, a chute into which said aperture opens, said chute being adapted to the passage of coins therethrough into the receptacle, means preventing the return of said coins through said chute, a series of removable, perforated plates positioned be low said chute and dividing the interior of said case into compartments for the purpose set forth, an opening in the bottom of said case adapted to the removal of said plates and a removable, lock-retained closure for said opening.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT L. ANDREWS.

Witnesses:

G. E. GLINEs, 'F. C. VANDERWEEL. 

